Evolution of Aboriginal Education at VIU

In 1970, Dr. Kevin Roberts, an instructor at Malaspina, collaborated with Cowichan Chief Dennis Alphonse to start a series of lectures entitled “Indians and Contemporary History”. The goal was to have First Nations teach their own culture and history using their own words and experiences. It was a departure from traditional academics, where non-aboriginal scholars taught First Nations’ history from a Eurocentric perspective. The lectures were the first in a series of forward-thinking steps the school took in the area of aboriginal education.

1971: An aboriginal group performs a traditional dance at Malaspina’s convocation. It’s the first time an aboriginal dance group had performed at a B.C. college convocation.

1974: There are 11 aboriginal students enrolled at Malaspina.

1989: Fifty-five aboriginal students enrolled at Malaspina: 50 in ABE programs, five in university transfer programs.

1989: Ruth Kroek (BA Transfer ’78-’79), a member of the Cowichan tribe, is hired by Malaspina to ‘support aboriginal students’. She is the first person hired specifically to support aboriginal students at any university or college in B.C.

1994: The school starts the Arts One First Nations program, the first of its kind in B.C. with a focus on First Nations’ culture and history; 91 students enroll.

1995: The Child and Youth Care First Nations program begins.

1996: A BA in First Nations studies is developed.

1994: The first Elder in Residence, Auntie Ellen White, is appointed for the Arts One First Nations program.

1998: Enrollment soars to more than 700 hundred aboriginal students.  

2005: The position, Director of Aboriginal Education, is created. Arlette Raaen, Powell River campus principal, agrees to be acting director until a suitable candidate is found.

2006: Sharon Hobenshield, a member of the Gitxsan First Nations, is hired as Director of Aboriginal Education. 

2008: VIU becomes the first university in B.C. to appoint an aboriginal chancellor: Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, a member of the Ahousaht First Nation and National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations.

2008: The first meeting of VIU’s aboriginal alumni group takes place in October.

2009: VIU starts a unique Aboriginal Construction Program and in January 2010, 10 students graduate with their Level 1 certification.

2010: The first phase of the aboriginal cultural centre, The Gathering Place, opens.

2010: More than 1,700 aboriginal students are registered in a variety of different programs- the largest number of any university in B.C.